Jessica Jelke developed a strong foundation in both academics and athletics while studying astrophysics and competing in collegiate boxing at the University of Washington. During this time, she was recognized as a Washington NASA Space Grant recipient, a three-time intern at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and an Astronaut Scholar.
After graduating, Jessica continued supporting NASA’s mission as a STEM educator at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. She has also completed two internships at NASA Headquarters. Jessica recently completed her first year of a master’s program at The George Washington University, where she is concentrating in Space Systems Engineering and Space Policy. She is currently interning with The Aerospace Corporation.